HomeFreshwater aquarium fishTetras & characinsPygmy hatchetfish Pygmy hatchetfish (Carnegiella myersi) Scientific name: Carnegiella myersi Fern?ndez-Y?pez, 1950 The Pygmy hatchetfish (Carnegiella myersi) is a freshwater fish of the family Gasteropelecidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 23–26°C (73–79°F). Native range: South America, Amazon River basin in Peru. Pygmy hatchetfish care at a glanceTemperature23–26°C (73–79°F) Species factsScientific nameCarnegiella myersiFamilyGasteropelecidae (Freshwater hatchetfishes)OrderCharaciformes (Characins)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length2.2EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 5.5 - 6.5; dH range: ? - 20 pelagicClimateTropicalDistributionSouth America: Amazon River basin in Peru.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: commercial More tetras & characinsSilver prochilodusSemaprochilodus taeniurusNannostomus marginatusSilver dollarMetynnis hypsauchenRedhook myleusMyloplus rubripinnisDarter characinCharacidium fasciatumRedflank bloodfinAphyocharax rathbuniSee all tetras & characins SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026